determination

American  

[dih-tur-muh-ney-shuhn] / dɪˌtɜr məˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.

2. ascertainment, as after observation or investigation.

   determination of a ship's latitude.

3. the information ascertained; solution.

4. the settlement of a dispute, question, etc., as by authoritative decision.

5. the decision or settlement arrived at or pronounced.

6. the quality of being resolute; firmness of purpose.

7. a fixed purpose or intention.

   It is my determination to suppress vice.

8. the fixing or settling of amount, limit, character, etc..

   the determination of a child's allowance.

9. fixed direction or tendency toward some object or end.

10. Chiefly Law. conclusion or termination.

11. Embryology. the fixation of the fate of a cell or group of cells, especially before actual morphological or functional differentiation occurs.

12. Logic.

    1. the act of rendering a notion more precise by the addition of differentiating characteristics.

    2. the definition of a concept in terms of its constituent elements.

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determination British  

/ dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of making a decision

2. the condition of being determined; resoluteness

3. the act or an instance of ending an argument by the opinion or decision of an authority

4. the act or an instance of fixing or settling the quality, limit, position, etc, of something

5. a decision or opinion reached, rendered, or settled upon

6. a resolute movement towards some object or end

7. law the termination of an estate or interest

8. law the decision reached by a court of justice on a disputed matter

9. logic

   1. the process of qualifying or limiting a proposition or concept

   2. the qualifications or limitations used in this process

10. the condition of embryonic tissues of being able to develop into only one particular tissue or organ in the adult

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Other Word Forms

• interdetermination noun
• nondetermination noun
• redetermination noun

Etymology

Origin of determination

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin dēterminātiōn-, stem of dēterminātiō “boundary, conclusion,” literally “a bounding,” equivalent to dētermināt(us) “bounded” (past participle of dētermināre “to bound, limit”; determine ) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Determination can be a decision, or the focus you need to get something done. The sense of determination, as making up your mind about something, finds its roots in an Old French word meaning “decision," such as the judge's determination that the man was guilty, or the panel's determination that the chocolate was too bitter. Usually the decision comes after much consideration and research, like when Copernicus made the determination that the earth revolves around the sun. The word has come to mean also grit, gumption, pluck, persistence: "With hard work and determination, they were able finish the school project on time."

Example Sentences

It’s the environment, but then it’s about whether you have the personality, the drive, the determination.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

She accepted that the trial judge must make the ultimate determination.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Cooper believes that building a championship team starts with what he calls the five Ds: determination, dedication, desire, discipline and decision-making.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The Parades Commission determination had placed conditions on a procession, applied for by some Cliftonville supporters, before it went ahead.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

He admired Kennedy’s determination to end the war, and helped the candidate craft speeches in preparation for the pivotal California Democratic primary.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• assurance
• boldness
• bravery
• conviction
• courage
• decision
• dedication
• energy
• fortitude
• grit
• persistence
• resolve
• self-confidence
• steadfastness
• tenacity
• valor
• willpower